Islam and the Freedom of Conscience — Page vi
~ VII ~ Preface Since the remotest ages the Prophets and Messengers of God have met opposition from people who seek to spread confusion and disorder. In the Holy Quran God has shed light on the lives of various Prophets and the unhappy end met by those who were hostile to them. In the past, Prophets were sent by God for specific periods in time, therefore, opposition to them lasted only so long as the age of their prophethood. However, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sent for all peoples and all ages. Thus, from the time of his advent until the present day he has faced a consistent storm of antagonism. This has taken the form of enemies like Musailamah Kadhdh a b, malevolent writings like Rang i l a Ras u l and Satanic Verses or odious cartoons. The most recent manifestation of this has been the film Innocence of Muslims. In such times of trial, God tests the will of the believers in order to see how they react. Taking guidance from the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet sa and the Promised Messiah as , the